World of the Mad

Name: World of the Mad
Author: Poul Anderson

By Poul Anderson

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Science-Fiction & Fantasy

About This Book

An immortal settler on an alien world navigates shifting sensory mirages and psychic predators while trying to keep his wife from succumbing to the planet's maddening influences. He recalls centuries of phantasmagoric visions—crystalline cities, singing fogs, and vanished inhabitants—while confronting immediate dangers as illusory creatures and psyche-feeders prey on human fear. The narrative follows his efforts to safeguard domestic life and human sanity against environmental and psychological erosion, examining isolation, the burdens of prolonged life, and the fragile boundary between perception and reality.

About the Author

Poul Anderson

Poul Anderson (1926-2001) was an American science fiction and fantasy author known for his imaginative storytelling and complex world-building. He contributed significantly to the genre, producing a diverse body of work that includes novels, short stories, and essays. Anderson's writing often explores themes of technology, society, and human nature, as seen in notable works such as "The High Crusade" and "Tau Zero." His ability to blend scientific concepts with engaging narratives has earned him a lasting place in literary heritage. Throughout his career, he received multiple Hugo and Nebula awards, solidifying his reputation as a master of speculative fiction.